Minutes of the Operating Committee of the America First Party

Tuesday, October 5, 2004

BE IT REMEMBERED that the Operating Committee of the America First Party met on Tuesday, October 5, 2004 at 9:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, pursuant to the previous resolution of the Operating Committee.

The Chairman led the members in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. Hey delivered the invocation.

The Secretary called the roll of Operating Committee members:

Present:

• Dan Charles of Colorado, Chairman
• John Pittman Hey of Mississippi, Secretary/Treasurer
• Jon Hill of Massachusetts, Vice-chairman
• Tom White of Massachusetts, Party Building Committee Chairman
• Larry Carroll of Colorado, Platform Committee Chairman
• Romelle Winters of New Hampshire, Public Relations Committee Chairman

Absent:

• Trey Golmon of Mississippi, Ballot Access Committee Chairman

A quorum being present, the meeting was called to order by the Chairman at 9:15 p.m.

Mrs. Winters moved the adoption of the standard Agenda. Mr. Hill seconded the motion. The Agenda was adopted by unanimous vote.

The Chairman delivered his report. He has been coordinating with the Peroutka campaign regarding the National Committee meeting of October 12. Everything seems to be set for the endorsement presentation, interview, and debate to go forward at that meeting.

The Secretary reminded the members that he had previously circulated draft minutes of the September 28, 2004 meeting of the Operating Committee. Mr. Hey moved the adoption of the minutes as published. His motion was seconded by Mrs. Winters, and adopted by unanimous vote.

The newsletter inserts should arrive at the end of the work. The Secretary reported working through some technical problems with the color for the upcoming newsletter, which have apparently been solved. The newsletter will probably be ready by early next week.

The Treasurer reported that the party's bank balance is $3754.24. There are no outstanding invoices due at this time. The draft of next quarter's FEC report will be circulated for review tomorrow at the latest.

Mr. White delivered the Party Building Committee report. A discussion was had regarding work on a Party Building manual.

Mr. Hill reported that the Finance Committee has reported out a resolution to the National Committee to authorize the printing of more Party stationery. In addition, his committee is considering setting new bulk purchase pricing for literature for party members. A discussion was held about an idea for a new premium offer for party members and supporters.

Mr. Carroll delivered the Platform Committee report. A meeting will be held shortly to interview Mr. Peter Browning for the position of National Committee member for Florida.

Mrs. Winters reported that the Public Relations Committee will meet next Monday to work on the next issue of the Newsletter.

Mr. Charles reported that the Rules Committee has made progress in working through the Operating Rules for Organizing Committees. The committee will meet next week to continue its work.

Mrs. Winters moved the adoption of a Resolution regarding the Agenda for the upcoming National Committee meeting. The Resolution was seconded by Mr. Hill, and reads as follows:

Resolved by the Operating Committee of the America First Party that the following amendment of the agenda by replacement be introduced at the October 12, 2004 meeting of the America First National Committee with the recommendation of the Operating Committee and that it be scheduled in the published agenda at the appropriate point:

Resolved, that the Agenda for this meeting be amended by replacing the published agenda with the following agenda, beginning with the new item 6:

Agenda

1. Pledge of Allegiance

2. Invocation

3. Call to Order

4. Credentialing Report

5. Adopt Agenda

6. Chair's Report shall be limited to TWO minutes

7. Secretary's Request for Approval of Minutes

a. August 3-17, 2004 minutes

8. Treasurer's Report of Party Financial Status

9. Business Referred by Committee

a. Resolution on Letterhead submitted by the Finance Committee

10. Introduction of Endorsement Process by Chair

11. Statements by Mr. Peroutka and Mr. Baldwin (15 minutes total)

12. Question and Answer period

13. Election of Possible Endorsee (Mr. Peroutka -vs- "None of the Above")

14. Endorsement Resolution, if necessary

15. Adjournment

The Resolution was adopted by unanimous vote.

Mrs. Winters moved a Resolution to forward to the National Committee a Resolution to contribute $500 to the Committee to Elect Tom White. The Resolution was seconded by Mr. Carroll.

After discussion, the Resolution was adopted by unanimous vote, Mr. White and Mr. Hill abstaining.

Mr. Hey asked unanimous consent to reconsider the Resolution on the Agenda previously adopted.

Without objection, Mr. Hey moved that the Previous Resolution be amended to insert into the proposed Agenda the following item:

9(b) - Resolution to Contribute $500 to the Committee to Elect Tom White.

The Amendment was seconded by Mrs. Winters and adopted by unanimous vote, Mr. White and Mr. Hill abstaining.

Mr. Hey asked for unanimous consent to close reconsideration of the Previous Item. Without objection, reconsideration was closed.

A discussion was led by Mr. Charles on proposed language for a resolution of endorsement.

There being no further business, upon motion made by Mrs. Winters, seconded by Mr. White, and adopted by unanimous vote, the meeting was adjourned at 10:38 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

______________________
John Pittman Hey
National Secretary
America First National Committee